The Goffstown Edge

Give A Library Gift This Holiday

Do you struggle with finding the perfect gift for your parents, grandparents or other special people on your list?  Well, think about making a donation to the Library in the name of your family member or loved one, and we'll use that money according to your wishes.  Throughout the year we receive many donations.  Sometimes these are memorial gifts for a loved one, to celebrate a birthday, other times it's a donation for specific items or books in a favorite subject, and sometimes it's a check with no restrictions.  We appreciate all these gifts from the community!   For instance, recently we received donations for eBook content and programming that will benefit everyone in our community.  In the past, we have purchased genealogy materials, books about history, gardening books in memory of avid gardeners, and much more.  If this idea is of interest to you, please give me a call and we can talk about your gift.
 
 
 
 
Dianne Hathaway,
Goffstown Library Director

Weare Library Presents Russian Nesting Dolls

Traditional Russian artist and lecturer, Marina Forbes, will offer a unique workshop on the rich Russian folk tradition of Matryoshka (wooden nested doll) painting. The workshop is scheduled at the Weare Town Hall, in Weare, NH on Monday, July 25th,  from 6pm to 9pm and is open to adults and  families with children 6 and up.  It is a great opportunity for adults and families to work together and learn about Russian crafts and culture. Participants will hear the story of the Matryoshka doll and will learn about her traditional Russian dress and customs. Traditional Russian painting techniques and floral and berry designs are also introduced. The goal is to produce a finished piece of Russian folk art on wood. Students can work on 7-piece, 5-piece, 3-piece or 1-piece matryoshka sets. Throughout the workshop, students will be listening to traditional Russian music, and, during a brief break from the painting, there will be a demonstration of a few steps from a traditional Russian "matryoshka dance."  Prices for the doll sets range from $10 - $55. For more information or to pre-register, please contact the Weare Public Library at (603) 529-2044.

Reptiles on the Move at Weare Library

A World of Fun With Reptiles!
Weare Old Town Hall
Wednesday, June 29 at 3:00pm

O-o-o-o!  Ah-a-a-a!  E-e-eek!  Ugh!  Wow!  …is what you’ll hear when Reptiles On The Move comes to visit the Weare Public Library's summer reading program.  You’ll meet alligators, a giant python snake, lizards, turtles, toads and all sorts of exotic reptiles!   You’ll have a close-up and personal experience that’s interactive and exciting.  Come join us for a fun-filled time of discovery in the wonderful world of amphibians and reptiles!
 This program made possible by the generosity of: the Byrne Foundation, CHILIS, the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, the NH Library Association and the NH State Library.  This program is free and open to the public.

David Stewart Smith to speak in Weare

The Weare Public Library has received a grant award from the New Hampshire Humanities Council to present a public lecture.  New Hampshire Humanities Council scholar David Stewart Smith will speak about American Indian History in New Hampshire at 7 p.m. on May 6 in the Weare Town Hall.  This program is free and open to the public.  The building is handicapped-accessible  For directions or details, call the Weare Public Library at 529-2044

Technology and Our Community Libraries

Local libraries are caught between a rock and a hard place as they attempt to keep up with the technology revolution.  Weare Library Director Christine Hague points out that, “Technology costs more than the old ways of managing a town library.  This is a very difficult dilemma because we have a population that wants only paper and one that wants only electronic and there is not enough money for both.”

The growth of digital books has presented special problems for local librarians.  Goffstown library has available 2 Kindle e-readers, 1 Sony Touch e-reader, and 1 Nook e-reader, but library director Dianne Hathaway says, “As far as e-books, we are having to further divide an already limited budget yet another way to purchase that content to meet demand.”   Several local libraries belong to the NH Downloadable Books Consortium, including Goffstown, Bow, New Boston, Dunbarton, Weare and Hopkinton.  Over 150,000 titles are available through the program, which is supported by 150 NH public libraries.  Bow Library Director Lori Fisher explains, “We are always trying to inform our users about NH Downloadable books and the databases available through the NH State Library (particularly EBSCO, which has magazines available in full-text and pdf.”

Libraries are also reaching out to meet the digital needs of families and youth by loaning popular DVDs and CDs, and the Goffstown Library has a growing collection of video games.  Most of the libraries now have free wi-fi, and all have several dedicated computers for both adults and children, including educational games and job-search software.  “We’ve definitely seen an increase in patrons wanting help setting up an e-mail account, dealing with job search websites and applications, and dealing with government sites such as NH Employment Services and the Federal IRS site,” explains Fisher.

Since none of the libraries has a dedicated IT person, each librarian works two jobs both with the traditional information and with customer tech support.  “It has been a challenge to train ourselves for the variety of technology the public is using,” explains Hathaway.  Hague continues, “ We try to set aside time to learn about new devices and answer questions for patrons, but we can't always afford the hardware.”  Still, as Fisher points out, “Digital technology is drawing new library users to us.”

As more and more information and entertainment options become available  in digital format, the public libraries are doing an impressive job keeping up with constant change.  Goffstown recently redesigned it’s web site to be compatible with portable devices such as tablets and smart phones.  As the public becomes more accustomed to reading digital books and newspapers, the local libraries are staying current and using creative ways to hold the budget in check.  Still, as Hague points out, all the libraries are cash strapped and need public support if they are going to march boldly into the new millennium.

Weare Christmas Party

Weare Christmas Party at the Weare Town Hall, 2 pm to 4 pm on Sunday, December 5.  here will be a tree lighting, caroling, a visit from Santa, crafts for children, refreshments and a puppeteer.  Event is free.  Nonperishable food donations are requested.  For details call 529-4520 or visit www.wearehistoricalsociety.org

Weare Historical and Library Present Fiddle Contest

Old Time Rules Will Prevail: the Fiddle Contest in New Hampshire and New England

Friday, Oct. 1     7 p.m. to 9 p.m.Weare Town Hall
16 N. Stark Highway (Rte 114)    Weare, NH 03281
Free

Weare Historical Society and Weare Public Library
603-529-2044
wearepl@comcast.net
Website

Fiddle contests evolved from being endurance fiddling events to playing a set number of tunes judged by certain specific criteria. Whether large or small, fiddle contests tried to show who was the "best," as well as preserve old-time fiddling, and raise money for local organizations. In recent years, the fiddle contest has declined significantly in New Hampshire and Vermont due to cultural changes and financial viability. Presenter Adam Boyce will play some of the winning fiddler's tunes that have become traditions.

Weare Book and Bake Sale is August 28

The Weare Public Library will host a book and bake sale saturday, August 28, from 9 am to 2 pm at Weare Town Hall.  This sale, sponsored by the Friends of the Weare Library, will offer all kinds of books and home- baked goods.  In addition, the Friends will sell deer-proof iris and hyacinth bulbs for fall planting.  You can beautify your home with spring flowers as well as supporting the library.  All proceeds from this annual sale benefit the library and its programs, such as free passes to the Children's Museum, the McAuliff-Shepard Discovery Center, the SEE Science Center, Squam Lake and the Currier Museum.  The Friends also provide funds for various children's programs, supplies for the children's summer reading program and the downloadable audio books program from the New Hampshire State Library.  For details, call the library at 529-2044

What's Happening This Summer at ALL Your Local Libraries...

The public library has been a neighborhood fixture for hundreds of years, and the modern library has grown into an information and entertainment hub reaching into many extended communities.  GMILCS connects the communities of Amherst, Bedford, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Salem, Manchester, Merrimack, and Milford, as well as the libraries at New England College, Southern NH University, and NH Institute of Art.  An item can be reserved at any participating branch, picked up and returned just as easily.  All our libraries now feature downloadable audio and e-books straight from their websites, and on-line catalogs are common.  Summer programs are carefully planned for the specific needs of the individual towns, but are open to the public so the entertainment value is multiplied.

Weare

This summer, The Weare Public Library will be featuring a Make A Splash-Read!! program for students grades 1-6.  The library also hosts adult seniors events, travel and book discussions, and story time/crafts for the very young.  Laura Martin and Sarah Wagner attended the Ice Cream Social on June 24 with Laura’s mother, Mary.  Both entering 5th grade, they were well into their book lists after only one week of summer vacation.  “Our goal is 26 books,” said Sarah.  “There’s a little prize bag when you reach your goal,” explained Laura.  “We have no idea what’s in it until we get it!”  The Weare Public Library is open at 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday for the summer.  Library Director Christine Hague can be reached at 529-2044, or visit their blog at www.wearepl.wordpress.com

New Boston

The brand new Whipple Public Library has teamed with TD Bank to reward young readers with a $10 savings deposit for the first 10 books they read this summer.  The YA Readers program for grades 7 through high school has a full schedule with weekly events and a trip to Water Country in cooperation with the New Boston Recreation Department.  Rewards are plentiful and typically small but exciting, and the summer concludes with a pizza party and raffle.  There is a Jr. Book Club for grades 3-5, and activities for elementary school students include an over-night “Lock In” on August 6.  The calendar at Whipple includes plenty of story hours and crafts for the very young but you will also find hiking, theater and visiting authors that will appeal to all ages.  Hampstead Stage Company presents the family friendly Treasure Island on July 12, and a “Survivors” picnic on August 12.  The Whipple Free Library is open at 9:30 a.m. on Monday,  Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 pm. on Thursday.  The library closes at 12:30 on Saturday.  For more information you may call Library Director Sarah Chapman at 487-3391, or visit their web page at www.whipplefreelibrary.org.  You may also look for them on Facebook.

Dunbarton

Dunbarton Library surmounts it’s small space by taking advantage of the modern technology that allows them to reach many young readers via the internet.  Downloadable program guides connect with teens ages 11+, with events scheduled weekly throughout the middle of the summer.  Reading logs are posted on line for youth who are unable to visit the library regularly, and the library maintains a teen blog.  Dunbarton is also hosts an active blog for adults, and is the only other library with a men’s coffee break, at 9 a.m. on the first and third Friday of every month.  The Dunbarton Public Library is open from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.  For more information call Library Director Andrea Douglas at 774-3546, or visit the library web site at http://users.gsinet.net/dunlib/

Goffstown

Patrons will find the Goffstown Public Library out ahead of the technology curve with their YouTube videos, active Facebook page, and their popular video game rental program.  Featuring the most comprehensive web site in the area, Goffstown also boasts the Polaris Library System that takes community service to a whole new level.  This summer they’ll be joining Dunbarton and Weare in the Make A Splash-Read! program, with water-themed stories, crafts, and activities.  “ There are a number of family programs that are open to adults,” says Sandy Whipple, Adult Services and Outreach Director. The focus will be on the whole family with a concert by the Sonic Boomers on July 8th at 7 p.m., and container gardening on Friday evening, August 4th.  Goffstown teens will find many age-appropriate activities, such as an Animé club, Wii and Guitar Hero events, and on Thursday, July 15 at 6 p.m. “Rock ‘N Roll Over Dead Murder Mystery”.  Adult programs are a large part of the Goffstown Library calendar, with Third Thursday Game Nights, the Blank Page writers group, card making and knitting workshops, and both afternoon and evening book discussion groups.  Popular coffee house events at Apotheça on Depot Street include an Open Mic Night on July 9 and an Artists Reception for Children’s Book Illustrators on July 17.  To round out the events, WMUR meteorologist Josh Judge will visit the library on Wednesday, July 21 at 1:30.  The Goffstown Library is open Monday through Friday at 9 a.m.  For more information, call Library Director Dianne Hathaway at 497-2102, or visit their web site at http://www.goffstown.lib.nh.us.  You can also find them on Facebook.